Newsletter
The Powers and Responsibilities of Representative Payees
Do you have a friend or loved one who receives Social Security and is unable to manage her payments? If so, you can request that the Social Security Administration (SSA), the government agency that disburses Social Security, name you as the representative payee for...
When Is a Nursing Home Eviction Legal, and What Can I Do?
Nursing home evictions, or involuntary discharges or transfers, disrupt the lives of residents, leading to homelessness, separation from familial support systems, and loss of care. As federal law covers all federally funded nursing home residents, nursing home...
Stop Using Unsafe Portable Bed Rails Immediately, National Safety Commission Warns
Stop Using Unsafe Portable Bed Rails Immediately, National Safety Commission Warns An advisory issued in June warns people against using a series of adult portable bed rail models after at least three people — including one in a nursing home and another in...
How to Get Into a Nursing Home as a Medicaid Recipient
While Medicaid helps pay for nursing home care, being admitted to a nursing home as a Medicaid recipient is not always easy. There are several ways to navigate the process, depending on your situation. With the median cost of a nursing home room being more...
Some Social Security Beneficiaries Can Get Retroactive Payments — But at a Cost
If you need a lot of cash on hand upon retirement, Social Security offers a lump-sum payment option that’s worth six months of benefits. However, it comes at a cost. It is important to understand the details before agreeing to the payment. If you have waited beyond...
Supreme Court Rules State Medicaid Programs Can Recoup a Larger Share of Injury Settlements
If you are injured due to another person’s negligence and receive Medicaid benefits to pay for care, the state has a legal right to recover the funds it spends on your care from a personal injury settlement or award. Yet in a legal case involving a Floridian teen who...
When to Leave a Nursing Home and Move Back Home
Leaving a nursing home to return home is a goal for many residents and their families, but it requires careful consideration. While returning home is a good move for some, it won't work for everyone. A nursing home stay does not have to be permanent. Many residents...
What to Do If Your Medicaid Application Is Denied
If you apply for long-term care assistance through Medicaid and your application is denied, the situation may seem hopeless. The good news is that you can appeal the decision. Medicaid is a program for low-income individuals, so it has strict income and...
Should You Prepare a Medicaid Application Yourself?
Navigating the Medicaid application process can be complicated, especially if you are applying for long-term care benefits. Hiring an attorney to help you through the process can be extremely helpful. Medicaid in Arizona is administered through the Arizona Health Cost...
Why Small Business Owners Need an Estate Plan
Running a small business can keep you busy, but it should not keep you from creating an estate plan. Not having a plan in place can cause problems for your business and your family after you are gone. While an estate plan is important for everyone, it is especially...